A nutritious herb, Ginseng-(Renshen).shtml" target='_blank' title="Radix Ginseng (Renshen)">Radix Ginseng (Renshen) is a slow-growing perennial plant with fleshy roots that typically grows in Northern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia. While it also is believed to be a powerful natural aphrodisiac and tonic, here are the plant’s top health benefits:

Prevents Premature Aging:
All over the world, ginseng is valued for its ability to reduce the signs of aging. Primarily, ginseng is used as an antioxidant, which can prevent the negative effects of free radicals throughout the body, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that can damage healthy cells. Antioxidants like those found within ginseng can prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer. Furthermore, ginseng has been linked to preventing the formation of maltol, another dangerous substance produced by the body that can exacerbate medical conditions.

Hair Health:
One of the natural carbohydrates found in ginseng has been directly connected with the prevention of alopecia and male pattern baldness. By applying ginseng salves or consuming the spice directly to the scalp can increase the health of the hair follicle beds, prevent dandruff, and reduce hair loss significantly.

Skin Health:
By stimulating blood flow throughout the body, particularly to the skin cells, ginseng is able to keep the skin looking young and hydrated. This falls under the category of anti-aging properties, but ginseng is also linked to detoxifying the skin and boosting the immune response in the body’s largest organ.

Colorectal Cancer:
Although extensive research is ongoing in other cancers, the most promising oncological area for ginseng is in colorectal cancer; research has shown a direct decrease in colorectal cancer spread and symptoms with the regular inclusion of ginseng in one’s diet. Early research on other types of cancer show anti-tumor properties, but these studies are still in the early stages and debate still exists on the true medicinal benefit of ginseng in terms of cancer.

Stress Reliever:
Ginseng affects the body’s nervous system in various ways, including stimulating the metabolism and boosting energy levels. Both of these effects can help to reduce stress and anxiety in the body. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, the adaptogens found within ginseng have been shown to alter the hormonal levels of the body, which can also help to lower stress hormone levels and achieve a better balance of mood in the body.

Diabetes Management:
There is a wide body of research on diabetes management and prevention, but one of the most promising herbal remedies for this veritable epidemic of diabetes in recent years is the use of ginseng. It has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in terms of fasting blood sugar levels and post-prandial (after eating) levels. By regulating the intake or absorption of glucose, ginseng is able to protect the body from the sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar that can make diabetes so dangerous, or that can lead to development of the disease.

Cognitive Ability:
Everyone from students to the elderly have turned to ginseng for its cognitive abilities. Consuming ginseng can not only stimulate your cognitive abilities of focus and concentration, but can also stimulate neural activity that can be difficult to achieve in one’s older ages. The activity of antioxidants to stimulate these pathways prevent the accumulation of plaque and free radicals in the brain, effectively preventing the onset of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive disorders.

Weight Loss Efforts:
The powerful combination of chemicals found within ginseng have a wide range of effects, including the suppression of appetite. When dried or powdered ginseng is consumed, it can quickly suppress the "hunger hormones" from triggering any cravings, thereby helping people in their weight loss efforts from cheating or snacking in between meals, while delivering a range of other healthy benefits at the same time.

Sexual Performance:
One of the most common traditional uses of ginseng was as an aphrodisiac. Powdered ginseng was believed to increase male sexual performance and boost libido; in modern applications, ginseng is commonly recommended for men suffering from erectile dysfunction as a natural solution.

Menstrual Discomfort:
As a soothing and anti-inflammatory substance, ginseng is often prescribed for women suffering from extreme menstrual discomfort and cramps. It can also help to reduce the mood swings commonly associated with menstruation and the menopausal change in middle-aged women.